HRD to add 10 lakh seats in institutions to make up for loss

The HRD Ministry on Tuesday convened a meeting to work out the modalities to implement 10 per cent reservation for the “economically weaker” sections among general category in higher educational institutions. Sources said the Ministry is working out the number of seats that need to be increased in the institutions to be able to implement this quota.

Sources said initial estimates reflect that around 10 lakh seats will have to be added in institutions across the country, including Central universities, IITs and IIMs, among other prestigious higher educational institutions.

“The modalities are yet to be worked out about how the quota will be implemented. All the universities and educational institutions recognised by the University Grants Commission, whether Government run or private, will have to implement the quota,” source said.

The Centre on Monday cleared the 10 per cent quota in Government jobs and education for the “economically weaker” sections, meeting a key demand of upper castes. The related Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday and will come up in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

As per the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), 2017-18, the country has a total of 903 universities, over 39,000 colleges and over 10,000 standalone institutions. The proposed reservation will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation enjoyed by the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the OBC, and will take the total reservation to 60 per cent.

The Bill mandates criteria like an annual income below Rs 8 lakh and not owning more than five acre of agricultural land for those seeking quota benefits.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with students, teachers and parents about examinations and related stress this month end as part of the “Pariksha Pe Charcha” programme just like last year. Participants will also be able to join the interactive session from across the country and even abroad through video-conference.